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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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OKMOCRATIC REPUBMCAN 



THE delegates chosen by the citizens of the respective counties 
yf this Commonwealth to put in iioniination a suitable person to be 
supj)orted by tiie democratic republicans of this state for the office 
of Governor at the next general election, met on Tuesday the 4tli 
day of Marcl) 1817, at the court house in the borough of Harrisburg. 

JACOB HOLG ATE was unajiimouslv chosen president, and 
ANDREW STEWART & Major 1. D. BARNARD, were 
appointed secretaries. 

On motion, 

Jiesolved, That the members of this convention shall produce 
certilcates or other satisfactory evidence of their election as such. 

Whereupon it appeared that delegates were duly chosen and at- 
tended from all the counties in the state, except Allee-heny, Greene 

Resriuipci, That this convention vote viva voce for the candidates 
to be put in nomination for the office of Governor. 
Oil motion, 
Uesolved, Thai, the convention now proceed to the nomination 
of candidates. 

Whereupou the following persons were put in nomiQAtion.4 
to wit: 

^VILLIAM FINDLAY, 
]S;.THANIEL B. BOILEAU, 
ISAAC WEAVER. 

The nomiDatioD being closed, on motion, 

Resolved unammously, That the members of this cenvention 
pledge themselves to support, and use their interest to secure, the 
election of the candidate who shall be ajB'"'»ed upon by a majoritj 
of the votes of all the delegates present. 

The convention then proceeded to make choice of a candidate^ 
and on counting the votes it appeared that 

William Findlay had ninety-nine votes, 
Nathaniel B. Boileau fourteen votes. 
On motion, 
Resolved unanimimsly, That having full and entire confidence 
nx the integrity, talie^its, firmness and democratic principles of 
wnJJAM FINDLAY, and persuaded that if aUcted he willj 



w 

in admioisteriug Ihe government inflexibly and s(u(iiously main- 
tain the rights of the people, and the present ascendancy of demo- 
cratic republican principles and measures, this convention recom- 
mend William Findlay as the democratic republican candidate 
for the office of Governor in October next. 
On motion, 

Resolved^ That a committee be appointed to prepare and report 
to this convention, an address to the democratic citizens of Pennsyl- 
sylvania. 

Whereupon, 

Thomas Sergeant, Thomas J. Rogers, George Plumer, James S. 
Mitchell and James Kerr, were appointed a committee for that 
purpose. 

Tiie committee withdrew, and after some time reported an ad- 
•dress, which was read, and unanimously adopted. 
On motion, 

Resolved unanimously, That the proceedings of this convention, 
together with the address and ^ e names of the delegates present 
attaclied thereto, be published in the democratic papers throughout 
the state. 

On motion. 

Resolved, That committees of correspondence for the city and 
county of Philadelphia, and the different counties of tlie state, be 
appointed, consisting of not less than three nor more than nine per- 
sons, and that the first named of the committees be a resident in 
the county town, and that they be authorised to suppl^iiany vacan- 
cies that may occur. 

JACOB HOLGATE, President, 

fn.-'Br^Yr.risec.-eu.ri^. 



ADDRESS. 

To the Democratic Republicans of Pennsylvania. 

Friends and fellow-citizens, 

HAVING been specially delegated by you from the different 
counties of the state, to meet in Convention at Harrisburg, and se- 
lect a democratic republican candidate to be recommended to your 
support for Governor of this commonwealth in October next, we 
have engaged in the duty assigned us under the deepest sense of 
its importance, and performed it to the best of our abilities. After 
free consultation we have concurred in that candidate, with a de- 
gree of unanimity hardly to be anticipated on auch an occasion, and 
that cannot fail to be attended with an auspicious influence in secu- 
ring harmony among yourselves and a happy result to our mutual 
exertions. Anxiously and ardently however as we may recommend 
that candidate, it will be necessary in order to ensure his election! 



that you slioulfl duly estimate its importance, and contribute to it 
that zeal, activity and influence which its intimate connection with 
your dearest rights and interests imperiously demands. 

Your knowledge of your rights and a determination to maintain 
them, placed a democratic administration in the government of this 
state. The decided declaration of tlie sentiments of so powerful 
and influencial a state as Pennsylvania, has contiibuted in a very 
material degree to preserve in the government of the union men of 
the same politics. Sixteen years have now passed since you aided. 
in expelling from the latter men whose condiictinfringed the sacred 
principles of the revolution and threatened the best interests of your 
country. During that period tlie people have had an opportunity 
of comparing two opposite administrations, and notwithstanding 
the adverse events of unexampled commercial embarrassment, of 
f®reign war, and of domestic faction, theix attachment to democratic 
principles has continued to increase in strength and to spread to a 
wider extent. 

Here we proudly recollect and cannot refrain from adverting to 
the last great contested elections in Pennsylvania. It was in 
1808, during the embargo, when your produce was either perishing 
or selling at a very low price, that you bore an honorable testimony 
of your fidelity to princijile and to the best interests of the nation, 
by the unanimity, firmness and devotion with which you went to ttie 
polls and voted for the then democratic candidates, James Madison 
and Simon Snyder. The glow of triumph that followed these pecu- 
niary sacrifices to duty stUI warms your bosoms, and will stimulate 
you to new exertions in the righteous cause of freedom and your 
country. 

How heart-clieering have been the results of your success! Under 
the upright and able administration of James Madison, our beloved 
institutions have preserved tlie spirit of liberty, our country has 
been protected against tl)e aggressions of an ancient foe. the cha- 
racter of the nation exalted by patriotic and gallant athievments, 
our population and resources multiplied, and whilst other nations 
after sanguinary wars and convulsive revolutions have sunk back 
again into the gloom of slavery and superstition, America still ad- 
vances in the career of freedom and still presents to an admiring 
world the noble spectacle of a representative republic, v^ here all 
men are free and independent, and all power is acknowledged to 
be inherent in the people. 

Whilst these rights and blessings have been preserved to the na- 
tion at large under the guidance of democratic men and measures, 
our own state under similar auspices aftbrds abundant reason for 
congratulation. Its government has been administered with a mild 
and paternal sway; and its present Nourishing condition bears the 
best of testimonies to the wisdom and purity of its councils. Whilst 
its older settlements have improved in all die comforts of life, its 
rich but heretofore uncultivated vales and mountains have become 
new seats of industry, of commerce and of civilization. Economy 
m our finances has placed us tar beyond the necessity of state taxes^ 
has furnished the means of valuable and extensive internal improvf^- 



4 

ments and has even enabled us in times of warlike pressure, liberal- 
ly to contribute to the wants of the union. Tranquillity and res- 
pect for the laws have blessed us in an eminent degree. And if the 
events of our domestic policy have not been marked M'ith those 
stiiking features that attend monarchical governments, it would be 
difficult to cite an instance in which greater political and civil bles- 
sings have been enjoyed, than those possessed by the people of Penn- 
sylvania under the administration of Governor Snyder. 

If, fellow citizens, a just, upriglit and consciencious discharge of 
public trust, a sincere love of country and its republican institutions, 
a wish to enjoy your own rights and to suffer others to enjoy theirs, 
and the repeated eAndence of your being a decided majority of the 
people of this state, could disarm opposition, you would have just 
i^ason to expect that none M-ould at this time engage in a contest 
with you. Hut in a free government you must expect a constant 
struggle on the part of the few who contend for privileges, against 
the many who contend for rights. Hence there are those who, 
excited by faction, animated by ambition and stimulated by avarice, 
will not allow the general weal to tiiumph over their individual 
hopes, nor submit to offer up the spirit of party a sacrifice to the 
dictates of patriotism. It is apparent that they have detei-mined 
to try all their arts, to exercise all their eloquence, and by all the 
means in their power endeavor to divide and to annihilate the demo- 
cracy of Pennsylvania and of the union. Fruitless and humiliating 
will be their endeavors, fur they will assuredly end as heretofore 
in disappointment and defeat. You will bear in mind for what 
and with whom you contend, and you well knowfthat the rights and 
happiness you have achieved can be secured only by union, vigi- 
lance and perseverance. 

You will therefore prepare, in an election so all-Important as 
that of Goverrvor of this state, to contend with y(mr former political 
opponents. A party which when in power sought to abridge the 
rights of the people and to subject freemen to arbitrary controul; 
whose leaders when out of power laboured to embarrass and divide 
you. to frustrate your efforts against an armed foe that desolated 
youi' country and threatened your independence: — who reared the 
hydra of faction to overawe those to whom you intrusted your de- 
fence, and to sever your country into hostile factions; who frowned, 
on the exploits of your gallant countrymen and exulted at your dis- 
asters and misfortunes. Such are the men that will again be on the 
alert to overreach or vanquish you. Into their corrupt embrace 
have fallen those in whom disappointment or the lust of power and 
of office have proved too powerful for the restraints of principle, of 
patriotism and of public opinion, and who seek to cover under new 
appellations their dereliction of republican principles and their ef- 
forts to form a third party, congenial to federalism. The contest 
will be the same as heretofore, whatever colour the opposition may as- 
sume, or whatever novel or deceitful denomination it may employ; 
it must be a contest for principles; a contest between democracy on 
the one hand, and federalism and apostacy on the other. 



d 

The democratic candidate whom we recommend to you, has been 
taken up by a fair and nearly full representation of the democratic re- 
publicans of tlie state. Complete unanimity on any measure amonf^- 
a' large body of people constituting one party, however desirable, 
is not to be expected. The fundamental principle ofdemocracy and 
one without which it could not exist, is that the. voice of a majority 
shall govern; and when that has decided, dissent and opposition 
should cease: nay more, the minority should cordially support the 
candidate who is fairly and honorably the candidate of the party. 
In this convention all who think alike on the great principles of pub- 
lic policy, all who act with the republicans, have had a fair oppor- 
tunity of being represented: and if any shall refuse to abide by its 
choice, it can only be from a spirit of faction and intrigue, or from 
hostility to the principles ofdemocracy. Th.ose who are not for us, 
are against us. It is by actions Ave must judge of principles: and 
he who professes democracy, yet opposes your candidate, however 
he may deceive hiuiself, cannot deceive you. 

What course your adversaries will pursue as the best adapted to 
divide and prostrate you, and through you the democracy of the 
union, must be left to time to disclose. Whether they will com- 
bine in a candidate avowedly federal, or in one of equivocal princi- 
ples, in whose breast ambition prevails over patriotism, and who is 
willing to be the corrupt instrument of any party that can place him 
in power and give him the distribution of office; or whether they 
will resort to separate candidates with a view to divide you from 
each other and deliver you up a prey to federal domination, w» 
know not, nor is it material. To jo\x and to your political adver- 
saries, the effect, could they possibly succeed, would in either case 
be the same: the prostration of democratic principles and the as- 
cendancy of federal men and of federal measures, here and in other 
states. One thing, however, we may venture to prophecy, if we 
may judge from what lias already occurred, that no calumny how 
ever groundless, no falsehood however unblushing, no invention 
however wicked, will be spared against you and your candidate: 
nor will any thing be witiiheld that the ehvemoned maHce of the 
rejected and the corrupt can contrive against the honest, the pa- 
triotic and the good. 

What unions have been witnessed, what coalitions have been 
entered into, what conspiracies have been formed to deceive, to 
cheat and to overreach the people ! Those who with acrimony have 
assailed and with bitterness have reviled each other, are now in 
difterent parts of Pennsylvania, seen to coalesce together for selfish 
purposes, and to heal their private griefs, in order to gratify their 
avarice and feed tlie uiiholy fire of ambition. Men whose senti- 
ments were as opposite as light and darkness, are now bretliren of 
the same principle. They associate together, they act together, 
they vote together: and burying their mutual hatreds under a more 
envenomed hatred of democracy, they purify each other by taking 
new names, by making a common cause, and by opposing and de- 
faming you and the government of the state and union. They 
unfurl the banner of opposition, inscribe it "a union of all honesi 



men," and under it, like the autlior of the sentiment, they vould 
rally all the " choice spirits" who are ready to trample on the rights 
of their countrymen, and who rather than not govern would govern 
by a Hartford convention, and proclaim "the Potomac the bounda- 
ry, the negro states by themselves." To put down such an opposi- 
tion, to keep such men out of authority, is a sacred duty we owe to 
ourselves, to our posterity, to our principles, and .to our country. 

We urge you, therefore, with the frankness of republicans, and 
with the earnestness and sincerity of those who have a common 
cause with yourselves, to be on your guard against the intrigues 
and artifices that from various quarters and under various pretences 
will be used to deceive and divide you. Esteem all as enemies to 
the republican cause that favor opposition to the candidate regular- 
ly agreed upon by the delegates of the great republican family. Let 
your motto be, The democracy of Pennsylvania: your watchwords, 
Union, Firmness, Vigilance: and you will, as in former times, pre- 
sent an overwlielming majority against all your opponents. 

Your fellow citizen William Findlay, whom we recommend, not 
less in obedience to the general sentiment, than from our own de- 
liberate choice, to your ardent and zealous support as the demo- 
cratic republican candidate, is so well known to you, that a brief 
account of him is all we deem it necessary to add. 

William Findlay is a native of Franklin county in this state. He 
was originally a farmer. He was elected to the legislature by the 
democratic party of Franklin county in 1797, and again in 1803. 
He continued to be re-elected from 1803 to 1806: and at all times 
supported democratic principles and politics with great ability and 
influence. In January, 1807, he was chosen treasurer of the state 
by the democratic majority in the legislature, and resigned his seat 
in the house of representatives. He has fdled the office of treasurer 
by repeated annual elections up to the present time. 

In public life he has displayed a vigorous understanding, a clear, 
cool and sound judgment, a patient industry, a sedulous attention 
to business, and a very intimate knowlege of the political affairs and 
local concerns of Pennsylvania. As a representative of the people 
he evinced these qualities in proposing and advocating the passage 
of laws for the advancement of justice and the good of the people. 
His legislative abilities, and an upright and intelligent administra- 
tion of the fiscal concerns of the state, prove him to be qualified for 
the highest office in the government. He is remaikably estimable 
as a citizen, and republican in his sentiments, habits and manners. 
His qualities, both of head and heart, inspire respect for his talents, 
and esteem for his virtues. The large majority of voices in this 
convention, acting for you, and as we believe you would act if you 
were yourselves present, proves the general opini'tii entertained of 
his talents, principles and public services, and is the surest evidence 
that your votes will ratify our clioice, and elect the candidate whom 
we recommend. 

In so doing, we shall wc believe, under Providence, remain 
tinited, prosperous and fvee: the principles of the revolution will be 
sacredly maintained in our borders: the rights of the people faith- 



fully proteGtecl; the ascendancy of the democratic republican party 
preserved througliout the union: and the public affairs of this great 
state continue to be conducted with tranquillity, integrity, economy, 
and an inflexible adherence to the democratic principles and spirit 
of our institutions. 

Berks Sf Schuylkill 
•r Peter Frailey 
•-Daniel Rhoads,jr. 
— David Kirby 

Frederick Smith 
•*W^illiam Schcener 
•*Godfried Roehrer 

^John Mullowny. 
JXorthamptoii, Wayne^ Pike- 
"^Henry Jar ret 
«i*^Thomas J. Rogerg 
r'David Roth 
•^-Peter Ililliard 
"•i^John Brodhead. 



City Sf County of FJiilctdelpkia 
Jeremiah Piersol 
John Rink 
Nathan Jones 
Jos. B. Norbury 
Mathew Carey 
Thos. Sergeant 
James Harper, jr. 
Levi Garret 
John Jennings 
Jacob Holgate 
Isaac Worrell 
Daniel Groves 
Charles Souder 
George Morton 
Joel B. Sutherland. 
Bucks. 
William H. Rowland 
Harman Vansant 
Eli Kitchen 
William T^ong 
William Purn}% 

Chester, 
I. D. Barnard 
James Monaghan 
Joseph Pierce 
Jonathan Pierce 
George Hartmkan 
Jacob Neiler. 

Lancaster. 
George Thompson 
Jacob Hibshman 
John Mathiot 
George B. Porter 
Henry Hains 
Hugh Maccullough 
W^illiam W. Steele 
Michael Gundaker. 
Fork. 
Adam King 
James S. Mitchell 
John Stroman. 

Cumberland. 
Jacob Alter 
James Giffen 
John Davis. 



Lehigh . 
«* Joseph Fry 
'^ Henry Mertz, jr. 

J\rorthumberlaji<;t, 
V Thomas Murray 
^lenry Shaffer 
Joseph Hutchison. 
Union. 
•piNer Middleswarth 
James Dale. 

Columbia, 
James M'Clure. 

Washington. 
^Abel M'Farland 
•»" Jacob Weirich 
•» James Kerr 
^ Joshua Dickerson 
mm, Williani Vance, 

Armstrong. ludiaiia ^* Jefferson. 
John Taylor. 

fFestmoreland, 
George Plumer 
Peter Wallace 
David Marchand. 

Fayette. 
»^Andrew Stewart 
--William Davidson 
•-George Dearth. 

Bedford- 
<»»JohnTod 
*^ Abraham Martin 
•*• David Fore. 



Frankiin. 
' Javje:^ Poe 
* Stephen Wilson 
k Andrew Robeson 
.Ludwick Heck. 

Montgomerg. 
Henry Sheetz 
Samuel Gross 
Christian Snyder 
*«.William Powel 
John M'Farland. 

Dauphin. 
David Ferguson 
Isaac Smith 
Christian Gleim. 

Lebanon. 

■ Jacob Goodhart 
John Sawyer. 

Luzerne <§* Susquehanna. 
John Bennett 
Isaac Post. 

Bradford <§* Tioga. 
Edward Herrick. 

Mlegheny <§* Butler. 
, Andrew Christie. 

Huntingdon. 
•Alexander Dysart 
Christian Garber 

■ r!onrad Bueher. 



Beaver. 
^ Samuel Power 
*'Jolm Clarke. 

Mifflin. 
Henry Burkholder 
James Banks. 

Delaware. 
Luke Cassin 
John L. Pearson 
William Brooke. 

Somerset Sf Cambria. 
•►Henry Black 
^ James Hanna. 

Lycoming, Potter Sf J^PKean. 
^ Henry Welles 
*- Joceph J. Wallis. 
Jldams. 
Daniel Slieffer 
Calvin Blythe 
. James Wilson. 

Centre ^ Clearfield. 
- John Rankin. 

Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mer- 
cer ^ Venango. 
^ Henry Hurst 
^ Samuel Hays. 



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